17 Top Advantages and Disadvantages of Floating Flooring | Cost of Floating Floor | Types of Floating Floors

What is Floating Flooring? |Advantages and Disadvantages of Floating Flooring | Cost of a Floating Floor Per Square Foot

What is Floating Flooring?

Floating flooring is a floor that has a protective layer of soft foam that sits between the concrete or subfloor and the floorboard. The soft foam allows for the floor to literally “float” on top of the concrete or subfloor and prevents the floor from creaking, cracking, and settling.

This type of flooring is so called because it is not usually nailed or glued down, but rather laid on top of the subfloor, with a very small gap left between the flooring and the walls.

For this reason, it is often also referred to as self-level flooring. This type of flooring is very easy to install and it is very affordable.

It works well with uneven floors because it can be installed as a flooring option other than wood

Floating flooring is a type of flooring that is so different from most other types of floors, but the key point as to why it’s better than a traditional type of flooring, is because it’s so easy to maintain and care for.

The installation of the floor is also a lot easier than traditional flooring, and well worth the time invested.

The best part about this type of flooring, is the fact that it’s really inexpensive, which is why it’s so attractive to many people.

It doesn’t matter whether your home or office is small or large, this type of flooring is perfect for any space.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Floating Flooring

 Advantages of Floating Flooring

1. Floating flooring are Easy to Install

Floating flooring is very easy to install because it is simply laid down on top of the concrete subfloor. The installation process for floating floors consists of the following steps:

1. The concrete subfloor should be leveled and free from any wooden boards or nails over the flooring
2. Next, install the floating flooring just as you would install a conventional floor
3. Then, apply a protective layer of polyurethane foam to the top surface and allow 24 hours for curing before using your floating flooring.

2. Floating flooring has a Very Long Life.

One of the advantages to using floating flooring is the fact that it has a very long life. If properly cared for, then your floating floor will be in good shape for many years to come.

The lifetime of your floating floor depends on several factors, including your own lifestyle and the type of floating floor you purchase from the market.

3. Floating flooring is Water Resistant

Floating floors are water resistant and can be used in areas where there is a high moisture level, such as bathrooms, spas, and kitchens.

4. Floating flooring are not Prone to Warping and Permafrost

Floating floors are not prone to warping or permafrost like most hardwood surfaces will over the years. This is because the polyurethane foam is a very durable material and it doesn’t allow grains to form in the foam over time.

Floating floors are also resistant to mold and mildew, which usually occurs on most flooring surfaces like hardwood or vinyl that are exposed to water.

5. Floating flooring are not prone to scratches and dents

This type of floor is not prone to scratches and dents, which ensures long-lasting beauty from your floors with minimal effort on your part.

6. Floating flooring is available in many Designs and Colors

Floating floors are also available in a variety of designs, colors, and textures. It’s also possible to match your floating floor with just about any paint color or texture imaginable.

This means that you can create unique looks for your home no matter what type of home you live in or want to live in.

Floating floors are also very easy to maintain, which ensures that you’ll have a long-lasting and trouble-free floor at all times.

Floating floors are also very affordable and can be installed in any room of your home or office.

7.  Floating floors have many Colors Available

Floating floors can also be used in many types of designs and colors. They’re also available in a variety of textures, which means that you can create unique looks for your home no matter what type of home that you live in.

This means that you can create unique looks for your home no matter what type of home that you live in or want to live in.

8. Floating floors are low Maintenance

Floating floors are also very low maintenance and simple to clean. You can also use the same tools and cleaning methods that you use on your other hard floor surfaces like tile and hardwood.

They’re great for homes with busy families or pets because they are so easy to clean up after using them.

9. Floating floors can be used in any room of your home

Floating floors can also be used in any room of your home or office, which makes it a very attractive option for many homeowners looking for a new flooring solution.

10. Most Floating floors are durable and not prone to scratches

Most floating floors are also very durable and not prone to scratches or dents, which ensures long-lasting beauty from your floors with minimal effort on your part.

11. Floating flooring is a great Option for Families

Choosing the right type of flooring for your home can be a bit of an ordeal at times, especially if you have young children or pets. Floating floors are a great option for families because they are very easy to clean up after.

12.  Floating floors are super DIY-friendly

Floating floors are also super DIY-friendly. You can install your own floating flooring yourself without any special knowledge or tools.

13. Floating floors are among the best flooring options

Floating floors are also one of the best options for hardwood flooring because they’re so durable and don’t require any special maintenance to maintain their good looks over long periods of time.

14. They can be much easier to replace

Floating floors are also much easier to replace than many other types of flooring. The most common type of floating flooring is vinyl, which can be easily replaced when damaged or worn down.

15. Floating floors are well worth the investment

Floating flooring is worth the investment because they’re so durable and long-lasting, which ensures that you have a very long-lasting floor surface no matter what room of your home that you choose to use this type of flooring in.

16. Floating floors saves you installation cost

Floating floors also saves you a lot in installation costs because they’re so easy to install.

17. Floating floors are available on the market

Floating floors are also available on the market in many different designs, colors, and textures. They’re also very affordable and easy to install.

Disadvantages of Floating Flooring

1. Floating floors are expensive

Floating floors are also very expensive, which means that homeowners will end up spending a large sum of money on the floors. This type of flooring is mainly used in higher priced homes because it’s a very high-end option.

2. Floating floors may need to be replaced more frequently

Floating floors also may need to be replaced more often than other types of flooring, which means that homeowners will end up spending more money in the long-term to maintain their floating floors.

3. May lower real estate value

Floating floors also may decrease the resale value of your home because this type of flooring is usually only found in much more expensive homes.

4. Sound absorption is low

Floating floors almost always have a very high sound absorption, which means that they are less effective at absorbing sounds in comparison to other types of flooring.

5. Floating floors may be damaged if not cared for properly

Floating floors can also be damaged if not cared for properly. Floors should be cleaned and maintained properly to keep them looking very good for as long as possible.

6. Floating floors Can feel hollow and loud underfoot

Floating floors will feel hollow and loud underfoot, which means that they can feel very unsettling to the person walking on them.

7. Floating floors Cannot be refinished

Floating floors cannot be refinished if they begin to look worn down. This means that homeowners may need to replace their floating floors with a new floor in order to maintain the good looks of their floors.

8. They may warp and buckle over time

Floating floors may also warp and buckle over time, which means that it’s very important for homeowners to keep a close eye on their floors to make sure that this does not happen.

 Types of Floating Floors

There are several types of floating floors. They include;

1. Vinyl Floating Floors

Vinyl floating floors are the most common type of floating floor due to its durability and cost-efficiency. Vinyl is a water and stain resistant product that is also very easy to install, which makes it the easiest type of floating floor to install.

Vinyl planks are made up of multiple layers of vinyl that are glued together in such a way where each layer closes over the one below it.

This means that, when looking at a part of the floor, you will see two layers of flooring below it. This provides very good noise absorption due to the multiple layers of vinyl being enclosing each other.

2. Floating Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is another great option because it’s extremely durable and can be installed easily on any subfloor material.

3. Floating Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a perfect example of a floating floor because it is almost never fastened down to the subfloor.

The floating technique allows the flooring to expand and contract in response to variations in relative humidity in the room without buckling.

Laminate flooring boards are typically linked at the edges and finished with a modified tongue-and-groove technique, sometimes known as “click-lock” or “fold-and-lock.”

Because there are various proprietary ways of connection, the shape of the interlocking grooves may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.

4. Floating Engineered Hardwood Floors (EHF)

Floating Engineered Hardwood Floors (also called EHF floors) are hardwood floors that do not have a sub-floor attached to them. Instead, they are put directly on top of the concrete sub-floor in the home.

These types of floors were developed primarily for homeowners who didn’t want to have their existing concrete sub-floor covered up with plywood or loose flooring pieces.

These types of floors are very popular because they are so easy to install. EHF floors are very durable and maintain their good shape for a long time.

5. Floating Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is a very popular option because it is very durable and has the look of wood without the maintenance problems that come with wood floors.

How to Install Floating floors

Floating floors are also very easy to install and do not require any major carpentry skills on the part of the homeowner. The installation process for floating floors usually consists of the following steps:

1. First, make sure that the concrete subfloor is level, smooth, and free from any wooden boards or nails over the flooring.
2. Next, install the floating flooring just as you would install a conventional floor.
3. Then apply a protective layer of polyurethane foam to the top surface and allow 24 hours for curing before using your floating floor.

Cost of a Floating Floor Per Square Foot

The cost of a floating floor varies greatly and is primarily determined by the type of material used and its quality. Installation cost of a floating floor is often far less expensive than most glue-down or nail-down floors, because it is much quicker and faster. The average for floating flooring materials plus labor per square foot is estimates as;

1. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) costs approximately $5 to $8 per square foot.
2. Engineered hardwood costs between $5 and $11 per square foot
3. Laminate flooring costs $4 to $7 per square foot, with prices varying depending on type and finish.